Session 6: Data Centres, Load Growth and Grid Integration Panel
This session will examine the rapid growth in electricity demand driven by data centers, including high‑density, high‑reliability load requirements and the implications for power system planning. Panelists will discuss the scale of projected global investment in data‑center infrastructure, the challenges of integrating large, concentrated loads into existing grids, and the solutions emerging to support reliability and peak demand. The conversation will explore the role of thermal generation alongside advanced grid solutions, expanded interconnections, and system reinforcement, as well as the potential contribution of SMRs and other firm, low‑carbon supply options. The session will also consider data security, sovereignty, and the long‑term planning considerations shaping investment and infrastructure decisions.